From State Rep. Keicher:
Keicher, House Republicans Emphasize Need to Protect Against Bad Actors
Chicago, IL – Tomorrow, the House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT Committee will hold a hearing focused on cybersecurity awareness and the growing threats facing Illinois residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
House Republicans serving on the Committee, State Representatives Jeff Keicher, Norine Hammond, David Friess and Scott Doody, have emphasized the need for the state to focus on protecting against bad actors as technology advances at rapid speed in modern times.
The hearing will examine the evolving cyber threat landscape, including –
- ransomware attacks,
- identity theft,
- business fraud,
- vulnerabilities in manufacturing supply chains, and
- risks to essential services such as utilities.
Republican Spokesperson on the Committee, Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), emphasized the importance of preparing for emerging threats as technology and artificial intelligence continue to advance.
“As technology and artificial intelligence continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, we must be prepared to defend against bad actors who are finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities,” said Keicher.
“We need to make sure law enforcement, businesses, and infrastructure operators have the tools, resources and knowledge necessary to keep pace with these threats. However, equally important is the ability of super intelligence technology companies to continue to innovate and stay in front of the abilities of bad actors.”
House Republicans believe Illinois must focus on protecting consumers, businesses and essential services, but not restrict innovation or stifle technological development that can benefit Illinois families, workers, and the state’s economy.
“We have to get this balance right,” Keicher said.
“We must take cybersecurity risks seriously and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, while allowing responsible innovation to continue. Technology and AI offer tremendous opportunities for our state, and sound policy should help us capture those benefits while protecting the people and systems that depend on them.”
Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) also emphasized the impact of data centers in the debate over technology developments and that the concerns many Illinoisans have expressed need to be taken into account.
“There are many valid concerns over the siting of data centers across the state,” said Norine Hammond. “As Illinois moves forward on the guidelines and regulations for the industry, we need to make certain that those regulations take into account land use, water and power availability and cost, and, most importantly, allow for local input.”
Tomorrow’s hearing will be held at 11 a.m. in the Michael A. Bilandic Building in Chicago and livestreamed for public viewing at ilga.gov/House/AudioVideo.
